The Executive Committee of the Witherspoon Society has
approved this brief statement as an expression of our concern and
convictions.[1-27-03]
Dear President Bush:
The Executive Committee of the Witherspoon Society, an
affinity group of the Presbyterian Church (USA) dedicated to peace and
justice, feels the urgent need to add our voices to the millions across the
nation and especially within the religious community, in questioning the
planned war with Iraq.
We come to this conviction out of concerns for the public
interest and strong doubts about the strategic benefits of such a military
operation, as well as our belief that this would in no way meet the historic
criteria for a just war. But you and your advisors have heard all of those
arguments before.
Rather we want to lift up the voice of Jesus, the Christ,
who spoke of peace and of unity with all peoples of the earth. The Prince of
Peace, whose birth we celebrated less than a month ago, is watching us and
expects nothing less of us than to witness to that peace and unity.
We join with myriad voices in the faith community:
Methodist Women, the General Assembly Council of the Presbyterian Church
(USA), the Episcopal Council of Bishops, Pope John Paul, the New Mexico
Conference of Churches, the National Council of Churches and the scores of
individuals and congregations in our denomination as well as others that
have taken the courageous step of questioning the efficacy of this impending
war. We stand in solidarity with those who feel compelled to witness to
their faith in opposition to war in Iraq.
It is with saddened and troubled hearts that we issue this
plea to you from the thousands in the Christian community: please reconsider
this venture in light of Biblical teaching and Christ's message of peace.
In the spirit of Christ's Shalom,
The Executive Committee of The Witherspoon Society
